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Big changes at Charlestowne Mall – what's in store for the future?

ST. CHARLES – The closing of Charlestowne Mall’s interior stores Dec. 1 marked the end of an era in St. Charles.

Krausz Companies Inc., owner of the Charlestowne property it renamed The Quad, plans to tear down the mall building with the exception of remaining mall anchors Von Maur, Carson’s and Classic Cinemas.

When the demolition will take place is uncertain.

“We would hope toward the end of next year, Krausz representative Chuck May said.

[Photos by Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com]

Last spring, Krausz presented the city with a concept plan for The Quad that included tearing down just part of the mall and building 155 townhomes on the north side of the site and 256 apartments on the east side.

However, in addition to recently announcing a more aggressive mall teardown, May said the proposed residential component of The Quad project could change.

“We’re working on a new plan,” May said. “The number, design and location of the apartments and townhomes are to be determined. There will be some revisions.”

Krausz must receive final approval from the St. Charles City Council before the company can proceed with any residential building. Likewise, the mall demolition plan will require the City Council’s OK, said City Administrator Mark Koenen.

“I expect any demolition plan would be coupled with the larger plan for the mixed-use development,” Koenen said.

Opening with great fanfare in 1991, Charlestowne Mall Boasted 120 retail businesses, four anchor stores and a double-decked carousel.

For a long time, the mall was a busy shopping and social hub year-round. The colorful carousel was a popular draw, along with a huge food court. Parents made a tradition out of taking their children to the mall’s center play area to visit Santa Claus and the Easter bunny during the holidays.

Business at the mall gradually declined starting about 10 years ago, as the online shopping trend grew and outdoor outlet malls became more popular, such as Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora.

In recent years, mall walkers often outnumbered shoppers at Charlestowne. What once was a bustling food court became a quiet place with empty tables and just a couple of food vendors remaining.

When Krausz bought the mostly vacant mall in 2013, the company optimistically planned to continue operating it as an enclosed retail center, attract new stores and renovate the massive building’s interior and exterior.

Krausz never did those major renovations and was largely unsuccessful in drawing new retailers. The company was able to rent a few of the mall spaces to other types of businesses, including iPanic Escape Rooms, H&amp;R Block and a children’s party company.

Another part of Krausz’ original plan for The Quad has had some success – building restaurants and other businesses on the outer property lots. Earlier this year, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, Starbucks Coffee and Verizon opened on The Quad’s south side along Main Street.

The city had approved zoning amendments in 2013, allowing for construction of the frontage buildings. The developer hopes to build even more freestanding buildings to house other businesses at The Quad.

Krausz is working to secure businesses for the future buildings, said May, who is The Quad project manager. But he declined to name any prospects at this time.

“Hopefully, we will be able to within the next six months,” May said.

Changes at Charlestowne over the years included the opening in 1999 of a multi-screen movie theater – first operated by Regal Cinemas and then by Classic Cinemas – which became another mall anchor.

In 2001, anchor JC Penney closed and Von Maur opened in the space a year later.
Sears, another original anchor store, closed in 2011, and Kohls shut its doors in 2016.
Krausz removed and sold the carousel in 2013.

Of the remaining three anchors, Von Maur owns its store property, but Carson’s and Classic Cinemas lease their locations from Krausz.

Classic Cinemas manager Randy Pollack said he doesn’t expect the closing of the interior mall to have an affect on theater attendance. The company is so confident, it entered into a long-term rental contract with Krausz.

“We signed a lease through 2042,” Pollack said.

Classic Cinemas currently is renovating all 18 of its theater spaces to include luxury recliners and reserved seating.